culled



(N0 Model.)

W. F. OULLEN.

FIRE ESCAPE.

No. 279,638. Patented June 19,1883.

lflvenfolfi 40am 4(01 MAW? UNITED -STAT S PATENT OFFICE.

\VILLIAM F. CULLEN, OF LOGANSPORT, INDIANA.

FIRE-ESCAPE.

. SPECIFICATION fanningpart of Letters Patent No. 279,638, dated June 19, 1883. Application filed March 1, 1883. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WM. F. GULLEN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Logansport, in the county of Cass and State of Indiana, have invented a new and useful Fire-Escape, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to a method provided for escape from fire, constructed within a proper distance from the external walls of buildings, and so situated relatively to the same as to enable the occupants of buildings with ease to enter the chambers of my fire-escape, and be thus enabled to pass down from buildings of the greatestheight with safety to the ground, and is intended to be constructed with rectangular walls, and with flights of steps connecting the several chambers with each other, and with landings at the end of each of the several flights of steps; and the object of my invention is to provide a safe and easy mode of exit from buildings when on fire,and a means of escape that will combine cheapness and permanence withsimplicity of design and construction. I attain these objects by the mechanism illustrated in the following drawin Figure 1 is avertical section of the building from which the escape is made, showing the exterior walls of the same. Fig. 2 is a vertical section of my fire-escape erected within a proper distance of the said wall.

Similar letters refer to similar parts through out the several views.

A represents the outside casing of my invention; 11 b b, the stairs connecting the chant bers c a a with each severally and with the ground.

c c 0 represent the windows for the passage from the building into my fire-escape.

My external fireescape may be made of any fire-proof material, or of material. which is not fire-proof, and protected by fireproof paint of proper consistency and quality.

The conception of my invention is that it shallbeplaced, in the process of its erection, in such position in relation to the building as that its several floors shall be on a level with verandas to be constructed within a proper dis tance of the lower window-sills of the building, and below the same to the extent of a few feet.

In passing from the building upon the veranda the occupant, by reason of the location of my fire-escape, is enabled quickly to pass into the same and down the stairway, and to reach the ground in safety.

It is the design of my invention that it shall be used as an external fire-escape in connection with hotels, factories, theaters, sch ools, and public buildings, and with any and all buildings having two or more stories.

I am aware that various devices have been provided, and are protected by Letters Patent, purporting to furnish means of escape from buildings when 011 fire; and I am aware that on August 11, 1863, and 011 April 2, 1878, patents issued, respectively, to Thompson, No. 39,505, and Ellithorpe and Haas, No. 202,009, for fireeseapes and for fire-eseape towers; but I am not aware that any external fireescape constructed with rectangular walls and having a stairway properly erected through the same, with a landing at the end of each flight of steps, has ever been patented.

In my invention I do not claim as original any one of the distinctive features of the same separately and apart; but

What I do claim as original, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

The combination, in an external fire-escape, ofthe easing A, having rectangular walls, with the several floors a a co", the stairs I) I) b, having landings on each floor of the several chambers, and the doors of entrance andthe doorof exit, the whole being placed outside the building and a short distance from the external wall thereof, all substantially as shown, and for the purposes specified.

XVM. F. CULLEN.

\Vitnesses:

FRED. W. MUNsoN, JUnsoN TAYLOR. 

